Artist Brandan Odums told members of the Sci Academy Class of 2015 they were part of W.E.B. DuBois' talented 10th. And with that comes responsibility.

"Education is a powerful tool," Odums said. "What are you going to do to help us?"

More than 90 students graduated from the eastern New Orleans high school Friday (May 29) at the UNO Lakefront Arena.

Odums praised their high college acceptance rate and $3 million in scholarships but warned, "As you move forward, you're going to experience some growing pains." Choose friends, he said, "with the same intensity a carpenter chooses the wood to build a house. Surround yourself with people who are going to fuel you."

And he told the Sci grads not to take it easy. "If you're the smartest person in the room? Guess what: You're in the wrong room."

Afterwards Odums tweeted his thanks to Sci Academy and mentioned he gave the speech wearing gun-metal Air Jordan 1 sneakers.